MURRIETA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL



E. HALE CURRAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

STAFF HANDBOOK

2014 – 2015

[pic]

Pam Roden

Principal

40855 Chaco Canyon Rd

Murrieta, California 92562

951-696-1405

murrieta.k12.ca.us/curran

Revised 7-23-14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ALARMS…………………………………………………………………………. 4

ANIMALS………………………………………………………………………… 4

ASSEMBLIES……………………………………………………………………. 4

AT-RISK STUDENTS……………………………………………………………. 4

ATTENDANCE…………………………………………………………………… 4

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT……………………………………………………. 5

BIRTHDAY PARTIES…………………………………………………………… 5

BATHROOM USAGE…………………………………………………………… 5

CLASSROOM SUPPLIES……………………………………………………….. 6

COMPUTER LABS………………………………………………………………. 6

COPIES…………………………………………………………………………… 6

COUNSELING……………………………………………………………………. 6

CUMS……………………………………………………………………………… 7

CUSTODIAL/MAINTANCE……………………………………………………... 7

DATA MEETINGS……………………………………………………………….. 7

DETENTION/BENCHING……………………………………………………….. 8

DISCIPLINE MATRIX…………………………………………………………… 8

DONATIONS……………………………………………………………………… 8

DOORS……………………………………………………………………………. 8

DRILLS……………………………………………………………………………. 8

EVENT REQUESTS……………………………………………………………… 9

FIRE SAFETY REMINDERS……………………………………………………. 9

FIELD TRIPS…………………………………………………………………….. 9

FUNDRAISERS…………………………………………………………………... 10

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES…………………………………………………………. 10

HOMEWORK…………………………………………………………………….. 10

INCLEMENT WEATHER……………………………………………………….. 10

INJURIES…………………………………………………………………………. 11

KEYS……………………………………………………………………………… 11

LIABILITY……………………………………………………………………….. 11

LIBRARY………………………………………………………………………… 11

LOST AND FOUND……………………………………………………………… 12

MEETINGS……………………………………………………………………….. 12

MULTIPURPOSE ROOM………………………………………………………… 13

OFFICE UPDATES……………………………………………………………….. 13

OFFICE AND WORKROOM EQUIPMENT…………………………………….. 13

OPEN HOUSE…………………………………………………………………….. 14

PARENT CONFERENCE SCHEDULING……………………………………….. 14

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS…………………………………….. 15

PHYSICAL EDUCATION EQUIPMENT………………………………………. 15

PROMOTION AND RETENTION………………………………………………. 15

PURCHASE ORDERS…………………………………………………………… 15

REPORGRAPHICS BUDGET…………………………………………………… 15

RTI – RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION……………………………………….. 15

RULES……………………………………………………………………………. 16

SCHOLASTIC READING COUNTS……………………………………………. 16

SEXUAL HARASSMENT………………………………………………………. 16

STEM FOCUS…………………………………………………………………… 17

STUDENT RECOGNITION……………………………………………………. 17

STUDENT SUCCESS TEAM …………………………………………………. 17

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS…………………………………………………….. 17

TECH SUPPORT………………………………………………………………… 17

TELEPHONE ACCESS………………………………………………………….. 18

UNIVERSAL SCREENING……………………………………………………… 18

VOLUNTEERS…………………………………………………………………... 18

WALK-THROUGHS/OBSERVATIONS………………………………………… 18

WORK DAY……………………………………………………………………… 18

WORK ORDERS…………………………………………………………………. 19

APPENDIXES……………………………………………………………………. 19 - 30

ALARMS

The entire school is alarmed. Please be sure you know how the system works before coming on the weekends or after hours. Someone at the district level is called and awakened if you do this late at night or early morning. The security company charges the school for false alarms. Alarm codes can be arranged through Tami. Please be aware that when you are on campus outside of the school day the main office will not be available to you. You will have access to the teacher workroom (with your alarm code) and your own classroom. Please limit after school hours to those times that the custodians are on site and weekend hours to normal school day hours.

ANIMALS

All animals at school must be pre-approved by administration. This includes classroom animals and pet show-and-tell days. There are many students with allergies and fears of pets; we need to be respectful of this. If we feel that a classroom pet is causing a disruption or leading to an unclean environment, we reserve the right to ask for that pet’s removal at any time.

ASSEMBLIES

We will make every effort to have ALL assemblies after lunch. Please have students seated in the MPR prior to the time the assembly is scheduled to begin. Younger classes sit in the front and seating progresses back by grade level. Classes should sit in two rows so that teachers can keep a closer eye on their students. You are responsible for your students’ behavior during assemblies. Please make sure that they are being a respectful audience.

All grade level and classroom assemblies need to be communicated to Tami and placed on the school calendar so office and custodial personnel are aware of them in advance and so parent questions can be answered clearly.

AT-RISK STUDENTS

You will have to notify parents that their child is on the “at-risk” list at your October parent conference. Previous to that, a letter will be sent home from Ed. Services for initial notification. Interventions and support for at-risk students will be a focus of grade level PLC time and Data meetings. Specific procedures will be communicated via email titled At-Risk Students.

ATTENDANCE

OUR SCHOOL IS FUNDED BASED ON POSITIVE ATTENDANCE

Here = We get Money

Not Here = We do NOT get money

Our attendance this year will be completed using the Aeries Net program. Using this quick tool, you will indicate whether students are absent or tardy. If you are marking a student tardy, please be sure that they have picked up a tardy slip from the front office.

▪ Attendance is considered a legal document; please be accurate. DO NOT allow parent volunteers to complete your attendance. Sign and date your weekly attendance sheets; they will be in your box on Fridays and need be returned by the following Monday.

▪ Please submit Aeries (attendance) to the office 10 to 15 minutes after school begins. It must be completed by 9:00.

▪ Please send any attendance notes to the office. Any verbal absence excuses from parents or e-mails from parents regarding absences should be forwarded to Sherry Wyman. If you are aware of a student moving, please contact Sherry as well.

Excessive absences and/or tardies need appropriate follow up. Again, please e-mail Sherry regarding any attendance/tardy concerns and copy Pam on the email.

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

We are encouraging Back to School Night as a family event. As teachers share curriculum and expectations with parents within their classrooms, children will be participating in STEM activities throughout the school. The following are ideas for teachers to share:

• Talk briefly about your teaching experience

• Clearly state your daily and weekly schedule.

• Discuss grade level standards and materials/textbooks

• Discuss at least one STEM activity your class will be participating in this year

• Clearly explain your positive behavior policy

• Discuss your homework plan

• Discuss grade level events and field trips

• Discuss STEM activities/units and integration plans

• Invite volunteers

The general format for Back to School Night will be as follows:

1. PTA Meeting

2. First classroom presentation/STEM activities

3. Passing time

4. Second classroom presentation (a repeat of the first one)/STEM activities

We will do two classroom presentations in order to accommodate parents with multiple children.

Please use a sign-in sheet and keep it for your own records.

The Book Fair will be opened throughout the evening of Back to School Night.

BATHROOM USAGE

You must allow for students to have access to the bathroom at all times. Please don’t withhold that right. If a child is abusing the right, contact the parent and develop a plan to address this behavior. We do not want to see tickets, etc. used as a means for earning bathroom breaks.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

In an effort to maximize classroom learning time, we do not allow birthday treats or balloons for birthday parties for individual students. Develop a classroom policy or routine to recognize children on their birthdays, however birthday celebrations during instructional time are not permitted. Parents are encouraged to recognize their child’s birthday by donating a book to our school library or to your classroom.

CLASSROOM SUPPLIES

Each classroom teacher will receive classroom funds of $8/student for classroom supplies to be spent over the course of the year. You will be notified regarding purchase order deadlines. Each classroom teacher will also receive one case of paper to be used for the duplo machine. If you require more paper you will need to use your classroom funds or donations.

Please see Purchase Order directions - Appendix

COMPUTER LABS

Computer lab schedules will be developed at the beginning of each school year by the technology committee. Please be aware that schedules will be affected during Universal Screening and SBAC testing.

Classroom teachers are responsible for:

• Teaching students proper computer usage during computer time. Your role is to integrate this time with the regular curriculum – using the computer as a tool for enhancing learning.

• Monitoring students while they are working on the computers.

• Making sure students have clean hands and DO NOT bring food or drink into the library or computer labs.

• Monitoring changes of schedules during Universal Screening and SBAC testing blocks

• Submitting a helpdesk request for any computer that is not working. Mark the computer with a sticky note indicating that a helpdesk request was submitted with the date and your name.

CONFERENCE ROOM

A conference room is available in the office for holding meetings. If you are wanting to use the conference room for a meeting you will need to reserve the room. A calendar to reserve conference room is in the holder on the door of the conference room.

COPIES

Each teacher will be given a copy code to use for the machines in the workroom. Copy clicks and paper for the year will be provided on a semester basis. These clicks including your classroom printer. These will be monitored and communicated to you via Tami Slagill. Please be cautious with these clicks. Paper will not be stored in the copy machines. You will need to bring your own paper to the workroom. We greatly encourage the use of the duplo whenever possible. Try to coordinate duplo and reprographics use as a team! Reprographics copies need to be covered by your grade level reprographics accounts, but it is very affordable and a great way to make copies for larger projects!

COUNSELING

This year, we will continue to have counseling support. Our assigned counselor is Chris O’Sullivan. Chris is here on campus approximately one day a week. You may contact her with a concern at any time via email or you may make a student referral via the student referral forms found in the office. Any student who is having continuous behavior referrals should be referred for counseling.

What is a school counselor?

A school counselor is a certified/licensed educator trained in school counseling with qualifications and skills to address all students’ academic, personal/social and career development needs. School counselors do not work in isolation; rather they are integral to the total educational program. They provide proactive leadership that engages all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help students achieve success in school. Counselors align with the school’s mission to support and enhance the academic achievement of all students. This mission is accomplished through the design, development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive school counseling program.

How are services provided?

School counselors provide services to students, parents, school staff and the community in the following areas:

• School Guidance Curriculum is made up of structured lessons to help students achieve desired competencies

Individual Student Planning which helps students establish personal goals and develop future plans

• Responsive Services to meet students’ immediate and future needs (may require individual or group counseling, consultation with parents, teachers, and other educators, referrals to other support services, peer helping or information)

• System Support-management activities to maintain and enhance the total school counseling program

CUMS

Cumulative files are available for review. They can provide you with important information regarding a student’s past academic and social experiences. The information shall be received in confidence by the teacher and shall not be further disseminated by the teacher. For security reasons, we ask that cums be reviewed ONLY in the office. Cums may not be removed from the office for any reason. It is recommended that you review each student’s cum prior to conferences in October. A thorough cum review is a necessary first step in our SST process.

CUSTODIAL/MAINTENANCE

If you need work done in your classroom, you must notify Tami. She will submit a work order to the district or to our custodians. If heater/air conditioner is not working, or if you have no water or electricity, call or send a note to the office, immediately.

Teachers are responsible for making sure chairs are stacked or put up on desk/tables on their vacuuming day and that large pieces of paper, pencils, books, etc. are not on the floor. This enables the custodian to clean the classroom more efficiently.

Please be sure that fire extinguishers and electrical outlets are visible and accessible. This is per the Fire Department, and we need to follow through on their expectations in order to ensure a good inspection this year.

Please limit instances in which students are eating in the classrooms and pods. When this does occur, please be diligent about making sure food is cleaned up.

DATA MEETINGS

Each grade level team will be given 30 minutes/week to attend collaborative data meetings. Students will be engaged in Motor Skills Development during this meeting time. During inclement weather students will work on character counts or PBIS lessons in the MPR. Please be sure to drop students off on time so that data meetings can begin promptly at the designated times. Since data meetings are at the end of the school day, students will be dismissed by the instructional aides. Students should have backpacks etc. as they will not be going back to their classes at dismissal.

Grades 4 – 5 – Monday – 1:20 – 1:50

Grade 3 – Tuesday – 2:10 – 2:40

Grade 2 – Wednesday – 2:10 – 2:40

Grade 1 – Thursday – 2:10 – 2:40

Kindergarten – Friday – 2:15 – 2:45

DETENTION/BENCHING

The office cannot be a detention hall. Consider grade level systems for addressing misbehavior, such as partner classes and grade level detention classrooms.

Detention/Benching is a response to student misbehavior, but we ask you to use your judgment in assigning this consequence. Please think about the following:

• Has the parent been notified of the recurring misbehavior?

• Will detention change the behavior?

• Have you taken time to discuss the situation one on one with the student to try to determine the cause of the behavior?

• Have you developed a contract with the student regarding the behavior?

If you choose to bench a student or give a student during recess, consider giving them at least 10 minutes to play as this physical activity will be beneficial once they return to class.

DISCIPLINE MATRIX

In line with Curran’s implementation of PBIS, Curran will be implementing the district developed elementary discipline matrix as a guideline for handling discipline issues.

Discipline Matrix Appendix D

DONATIONS

Free and appropriate public education means FREE. The school may not require students to bring any materials or money from home. You can suggest an item would be nice to have. You cannot require specific supplies. You, or a parent helper, may not ask students to bring money or supplies. Parents can be encouraged to make general donations of items to be shared by all. You cannot mandate money for pizza or other food.

DOORS

DO NOT leave doors open when the heater or A/C is on. This will cause the system to turn off and require full restart up for your classroom.

DRILLS

School drills are scheduled in advance, at the beginning of the year. Please plan classroom and grade level activities around these drills.

School evacuation maps need to be posted next to the exit of each room. Maps with evacuation locations marked will be provided. For earthquake and general emergency procedures consult red “emergency” flip chart from MVUSD.

Drill Schedule – Appendix G

EVENT REQUEST

Any major event occurring on campus must be approved by administration, particularly if it requires the reservation of a room. We would rather you over-request than under-request, as it provides the office with information to support your event and communication for our office staff.

The Event Request Form is on the filing cabinet outside of Tami’s office. Please provide the information listed and the request will be approved within a week or sent back to you for more information. Once you have approval for your event, please see Tami Slagill with any directions for setting up the facilities.

FIRE SAFETY REMINDERS

At Curran, we are visited by the county Fire Department during inspection visits. They have very high expectations of us and we’ll need to show that we can meet these expectations during our fall visit or we will incur fines and/or further notices of violation. Please be aware of and help us meet the following expectations:

1. Paper on classroom walls must not exceed 50% of the wall space.  The ideal arrangement is to keep the bottom ¼ and top ¼ of each wall clear.  In any case, NO combustible material can be within 18” of the ceiling nor hung from the ceiling.  Yes, this means the awesome paper trees that grow up the wall and across the ceiling will earn you a violation notice – they are a no-no.

2. Fabric curtains (or actually any fabric on walls) are only allowed if they are treated with a UL listed spray treatment annually.  Date of treatment must be listed on the material or documentation of treatment date available to Fire Inspector, else the Fire Dept will issue a violation notice.

3. Fabric couches are only allowable if the following is observed:  A) Fabric is treated annually as noted above with curtains, B)  Fabric is professionally cleaned annually and documentation of such is maintained, and C)  the couch is not located in such a manner as to impede swift exit from the room in case of emergency.

4. Exit doors and exit corridors may have no more than 20% of their surface covered by paper, and under no circumstance may the window in the door, if it exists, be covered with anything.

5. If a classroom has windows that allow visibility into the room, adequate visibility from the outside must be maintained.  In other words, you cannot cover ALL of the windows (and never the window in a door), as rescue personnel need to be able to see in.  In addition, teachers should not allow themselves to be put in a situation where their actions with children cannot be observed.

6. Evacuation routes must be posted in each room

FIELD TRIPS

There are walking forms as well as bus forms for filed trips. The teacher needs to fill out the appropriate form and have administration approval. The site secretary uses the form to calendar events. Transportation needs 3-4 weeks of advance notice. Field trips needing a bus may not be scheduled on a minimum day. Please, DO NOT schedule field trips on pre-scheduled assembly or event days without prior approval.

You also must notify the cafeteria personnel if you will be gone during lunch. They need a written notice 2 weeks in advance. The school needs to provide lunches to those who would normally receive a free or reduced lunch so they need to know about your trips for lunch preparation.

The health tech also needs to be notified of field trips so that she can prepare medication and supplies based on your students’ needs.

Students must ride to and return back from the trip on OUR school bus, NOT with parents. Students may not be checked out from the field trip.

FUNDRAISERS

Title 8, section 11706 of the California Administrative Code specifies that door to door selling of any merchandise is a dangerous activity, as well as selling merchandise on the street; therefore it is prohibited.

All fundraisers must have the principal's approval and be put on the calendar. INDIVIDUAL CLASSROOM OR CLUB FUNDRAISERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED UNLESS SPECIFICALLY DISCUSSED WITH AND APPROVED BY ADMINISTRATION.

All classes or clubs that do any fundraising need to get prior approval for their fundraising from administration. Tami Slagill the main contact for questions regarding ASB Club Accounts and money that is being collected needs to be turned into her regularly. There is a simple process for initiating your club through the ASB. See Tami for the appropriate paperwork. You must also have pre-approval before spending any of these funds.

HELPDESK

HelpDesk is for ALL technology needs. Staff can submit a help desk request at If a computer in a lab is not working please take the time to submit a request. Mark the computer with a note indicating that a Helpdesk request was submitted with the date.

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

The instructional program of the school should provide for informing pupils concerning varied beliefs and customs stemming from many religious, racial and ethnic heritages. Such instruction should be designated to broaden the pupil's understanding of, and tolerance for, the multiple ways of life enjoyed by the peoples of the world. Please, try not to give unwarranted attention to any holidays or celebrations that would segregate students.

Any instruction which may be contrary to a pupil's religious beliefs and teachings shall be viewed as optional for him/her. DO NOT wait for the student to say “I can’t do this project.” Plan ahead and provide alternative activities for any student for whom this may apply. Be sensitive to parent and student requests of non-participation and provide alternate activities. Discuss with parents possible alternatives (i.e., a get well card rather than a Santa Claus card; a pumpkin patch instead of a jack-o-lantern; a special person day rather than a birthday party; library time or a visit to another classroom).

HOMEWORK

The purpose of homework is to provide practice and/or preparation/elaboration. Consider establishing a formal homework policy to be communicated with students and families. This will allow students to have a strong understanding of what you expect when it comes to homework.

District time guidelines are: Grades 1-3: 10-30 minutes, up to 4 days per week

Grades 3-5: 30-60 minutes, up to 4 days per week

NO homework should be assigned during school breaks. Please have major projects due BEFORE the break, not AFTER the break.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

In all situations where it is too rainy, hot, cold or windy to play outside, we will follow an inclement weather schedule.

Before School: We will use the MPR as the primary building to house students if the weather does not allow use of the playground. We will determine the course of action on a case-by-case basis.

Morning Recess:

Recess will be in the MPR following the Inclement Weather Schedule. Please send coloring books and games for entertainment. Please be on time to pick students up!

Lunch/Recess

Lunch will be in the MPR following the Inclement Weather Schedule. Recess will be held in two predetermined classrooms. Please be on time to pick your students up. Please see the Bell Schedule for specifics to the inclement weather schedule.

Please follow the “Inclement Weather” schedule on the Bell Schedule. Morning Recess times are not altered, however lunch recess is shortened by 10 minutes.

Inclement Weather Schedule – Appendix H

INJURIES

All staff injuries must be reported to the principal, site secretary and health technician. There are forms to fill out for your protection and the district’s injury medical assistance. If further medical services will be required, you must have the injury on file.

.

KEYS

Keys are checked out through Tami. Please be mindful of keeping keys safe – due to our unique facility arrangement, a lost key would necessitate re-keying the entire site. This would be a major expense and a major inconvenience that you would be held responsible for!

LIABILITY – CLASSROOM

Teachers are liable if a student is injured while unsupervised (i.e. no teacher or aide in the room). Parents are not supervisors and may not be alone with children (one or even several students) in a classroom. Community helpers must also never be alone with students. Please exit all children when you leave the room and lock the door.

LIBRARY

Classroom schedules will be developed at the beginning of each school year.

Classroom teachers are responsible for:

• Getting the class to the library on time. Assisting students to form a single line at the door and monitoring the return of books to the counter.

• Assisting Jeanne with follow up on lost books. When students do not return books, they lose the privilege of checking out additional books. Your help in avoiding this and reminding students of this will save us time and money!

• Making sure students have clean hands and DO NOT bring food or drink into the library.

• Communicating to the library/lab tech as to how she can be of most assistance.

• Looking at weekly schedules in advance. If there is an assembly or other event which creates a conflict with library time, please contact Jeanne in advance to arrange another visit time.

LOST AND FOUND

Please encourage children to label clothing and to check the lost and found as soon as they are missing something. Please tell the children to leave lost clothing on the playground until after school. This gives the owner time to retrieve it before it is put in the lost and found. Small items should be turned in to the office. Let students know that our Lost and Found items will be donated at the end of each month this year, so they should plan accordingly.

LOUNGE

The lounge is an adult area. It is a small multifunctional space that is utilized by all of the staff members. Please keep students and your own personal children OUT, unless you are accompanying them. We eat, work, meet and socialize in the lounge. Because the lounge is such a confined but important area, it is necessary that we all make a conscious effort to keep it neat and clean. Please keep all doors to the lounge closed at all times.

LUNCH MONEY

Parents are encouraged to prepay for lunch. If a student needs to pay for lunch, please put lunch money into your class money pouch and have a student deliver the pouch to the cafeteria – NOT the office.

MEETINGS

This year, our district will continue utilizing an early out day each Monday. These early out Mondays should be treated as work time – please make every effort to plan appointments on other days. If you are not able to be at a Monday meeting, you must notify administration directly.

Please see the District Staff Development Calendar to determine how each date is to be used, as described below:

Staff/Grade Level Meetings

This meeting will take place on the first Monday of each month. One hour will be allocated for a full staff meeting. All staff members (classified and certificated) are required to attend. One hour will be allocated for grade levels to meet and discuss team business, such as field trips, rotations, special events, etc.

Professional Learning Communities

A major focus of this school year will be the continued implementation of PLC’s. A PLC is a vehicle for collaborating regarding student learning. Its main characteristics include:

• A focus on ensuring that students learn

• A focus on developing a culture of collaboration

• A focus on data/results

Grade Level Leaders will facilitate these meetings and will work with their teams to determine how this time will be used, based on the PLC model. PLC meeting notes must be posted on the Grade Level PLC Haiku page for review. Some examples of PLC work include: discussion of essential learning outcomes, development of common formative assessments, developing and reviewing SMART goals, analyzing assessment results, sharing instructional strategies, and staff development training.

Although a two hour block is allocated for the important work of the PLC’s, one hour of this block may be used for school wide professional development when necessary. Grade Level Leaders will be notified in advance when professional development activities will be scheduled.

Teacher Directed Days

These are days that belong to individual teachers and are meant for specific purposes such as report card preparation.

Minimum Days

We will continue to have minimum days in October in order to hold parent conferences.

.

Other Committee Meetings

Teachers are invited to take part in other committees throughout the year. These are arranged more flexibly but notice will be given in advance. There will be an opportunity to sign up to work on various committees during our initial Professional Development Day.

District Staff Development Calendar - Appendix

MULTIPURPOSE ROOM

The multipurpose room must be reserved for use. Only the secretary or principal may schedule activities on the calendar. Please think in advance, especially in planning for busy times of the year, about scheduling all of your practice and performance times. Don’t just assume that you’ll get access as needed – we’re even bigger this year! Please utilize the Event Request Form to reserve the MPR. To reserve the MPR or other site areas go thru Tami to schedule on the Master Calendar.

OFFICE PASS

When sending a student to the office, be sure to send the student with an office pass indicating why they are coming to the office. If the student is requested by a particular person in the office, please include the requesting person’s name on the pass.

OFFICE UPDATES

The following are some updated procedures from the office. Please help us in meeting these new procedures:

1. Please communicate with the office regarding any activities during the school day and regarding any time in which you are not in your classroom. This allows the office staff to effectively communicate with parents and to find students when necessary.

2. In an effort to cut down on classroom interruptions, we will not be calling into your classroom unless it is for an emergency. It is imperative that you check your email before lunch and before end of the day release to see if there are any messages for your students. We will place them in the subject line of your email to make it easier for you.

3. During recess and lunch breaks we will organize student leaders to check into the office for classroom deliveries. Please do not send students to the office to pick-up items.

4. DO NOT send students to the office to call home – this can be done in your classroom.

5. DO NOT send students to the office to complete work or serve detention. This often leads to a negative culture in the office. We want to develop a professional work place in the office. Please refer to section on Detention/Benching.

6. If you have a parent volunteer in your classroom, please make sure that they have filled in the Parent Volunteer Form and turned it in with a copy of their driver’s license in the front office. Tami will send out a list of approved volunteers so that you can cross-reference and make sure that all parent volunteers have gone through this essential procedure.

7. In an effort to assist you, we will be reminding parents of the following:

• We don’t release students within the half hour before release time each day.

• They need to check in whenever they are on campus, other than during drop off and pick up.

• They should not be entering classrooms during the ten minutes prior to pick up that they are allowed onto campus.

OFFICE and WORKROOM EQUIPMENT

Paper Cutter

Paper cutters are located in the workroom. Safety regulations require that the paper cutters are for ADULT USE ONLY! DO NOT allow any students to use them! Please remember to place the safety clip back on the paper cutter when you are finished.

Laminating Machine

If you need laminating done, please put your laminating into the laminating box in the workroom. One instructional aide will be assigned to laminating in order to avoid damage to the machine. We ask that laminating not be excessive. Please make sure to allow for a week turnaround time.

Workroom Copiers

The copier is a fairly simple machine to operate. There are two copiers located in the staff workroom. If you need assistance, please ask for help. If they get jammed, please let us know immediately so that they can be fixed for the next person! The copy machine in the front office is for the office staff only. Teachers may not use this machine without office permission. If you need to send a fax, ask an office staff person for assistance.

Duplo Machine

We encourage the use of the duplo machine for all copies greater than 30 although it is best to coordinate within your grade level so that masters are not wasted. You must use your own paper for the duplo machine. We supply the masters and the ink.

OPEN HOUSE

This event is held each spring. This is an opportunity for teachers and students to share with parents. We will want to ensure that we have a STEM focus to our Open House. Students should be rehearsed on how to introduce the teacher to the parent and what things (work boards, books, computer, library/computer lab, playground, rotation or buddy room, lunch area, etc.) to show their parents.

PARENT CONFERENCE SCHEDULING

Conferences are scheduled by the individual teachers. All students should be provided with a conference time in October. You are encouraged to ask your class if they have K-5 siblings and then work with the appropriate teacher to coordinate conference times for the family. Parent conferences are the time to have those individual conversations with families about their child’s strengths and challenges. You are encouraged to use PLC time, prior to conferences, in order to discuss best practices for leading conferences and sharing student achievement information.

When contacting parents by email or phone, please keep a log or record to document your efforts. Also, document all parent conferences for your records.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTIONS (PBIS)

As Curran begins to implement PBIS, staff, students and parents will work together in developing new expectations and procedures for behavior. This will be an ongoing process.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION EQUIPMENT

Equipment for recesses is ordered separately and distributed by the yard duty supervisors at the appropriate time. This equipment is not to be used for classroom P.E. Students should not bring personal equipment from home without approval from administration and the classroom teacher.

PROMOTION AND RETENTION

Evaluation of pupils for promotion and retention shall be conducted as follows:

1. Students who are deemed “at risk” or “well below” are retention candidates in grades 2,3,4,5. The principal will provide each teacher with a list and ask for further candidates who have not yet been identified. Each parent will be contacted by letter regarding their child’s “at risk” status . We ask that this be confirmed through personal contact by October conferences.

2. An intervention system will be implemented based on our site plan.

Grade level PLC’s and Data Meetings will be focusing on intervention for at-risk students during collaboration time. Plans for specific student intervention will be discussed with the principal at Achievement Meetings.

3. A Student Success Team meeting should be held for at risk students at or by October conferences.

4. The district retention forms will be provided and must be filled out by teachers at the end of the year. K and 1 students are not part of the social promotion policy; however, retention meetings must be held for documentation purposes in all grade levels.

PURCHASE ODERS

Procedures for obtaining and submitting purchase orders are outlined in the appendix.

Purchase Order Guidelines – Appendix I

REPROGRAPHICS BUDGET

Each grade level team will have a reprographics budget. This is a great way of making copies for larger projects. Please talk to Tami Slagill regarding reprographic orders.

RTI – RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION

Response to Intervention is a way of thinking about student learning and the organization of resources at a school site to ensure that all students can and will learn. Through a multi-tiered pyramid of intervention, teachers identify on a student-by-student level specific learning and intervention needs and then develop measurable interventions to meet these needs. RTI is most effective when it is a system utilized by teams to collaboratively provide students with intervention so that they “can’t” fail.

RTI will be a continued focus of staff work this year. PLC time may be used to develop grade level pyramids of intervention, examine grade level data, and implement systematic intervention plans. Administration and Special Education staff will be working closely with each team to help develop and implement RTI plans and to systemize the process to support SST students.

RULES

School Adopted Rules

Each school site adopts rules for student discipline. (Ed. Code 35291.5) The Student Handbook contains the basic school rules. Please review the handbook with students after each vacation time. (August, January, April) We will work throughout the year to develop and implement PBIS.

Classroom Rules

Use our beginning work on PBIS as well as the 6 Pillars of Character Counts to connect your rules with our school vision.

Classroom Management Appendix B

SCHOLASTIC READING COUNTS

Scholastic Reading Counts (SRC) will be used throughout all grades as a reading motivational program. Data from SRC will be reviewed and monitored during grade level data meetings. We strongly encourage every classroom to participate.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

E.C. 200-240, 212.5, 231.5 & 230, 48980(g) B.P. 5145.7 states: The Murrieta Valley Unified School District is committed to a work and educational environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual has the right to work and learn in a professional atmosphere that promotes equal employment and educational opportunity, and is free from discriminatory practices. Sexual harassment is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and California Educational Code. Therefore, the District strongly condemns, opposes and prohibits sexual harassment of individuals, whether verbal, physical or environment by anyone. Any employee who violates this policy will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination, and any student who violates this policy will be subject to discipline up to and including expulsion. As used in this policy and regulation, “sexual harassment” means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of sexual nature, made by someone from or in the work or educational setting, under any of the following conditions:

a) Submissions to the conduct is explicitly or implicitly made a term of a condition of an individual’s employment, academic status or progress.

b) Submission to, or rejection of, the conduct by the individual is used as the basis of employment or academic decisions affecting the individual.

c) The conduct has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact upon the individual’s work or academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or educational environment.

d) Submission to, or rejection of, the conduct by the individual regarding benefits and services, honor, programs or activities available at or through the educational institution.

STEM FOCUS

At Curran, we have a STEM focus. This focus is implemented at the K-5 levels through both integration within the regular curriculum as well as through special projects. This year, our first year of our STEM implementation, is a discovery and awareness focus. It is imperative that we continue to learn and grow in our capacity to deliver STEM experiences and STEM integrated curriculum.

This year, we will be working to develop committees to address our STEM mission and vision. It will be made up of administration and grade level representation. Our goal will be to explore ways to enhance and support STEM at Curran.

STUDENT RECOGNITION

Students at Curran will be recognized not only for their achievements but also for their effort and perseverance. Student may be recognized for the following:

Scholastic Reading Counts

Fast Math Achievements

SRI/SMI Achievements

Character & Citizenship

STUDENT SUCCESS TEAM PROCESS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION REFERRALS

Teachers will work with the Student Success Team facilitators, Renee and Melissa, to coordinate SST referrals. The team will also work collaboratively with the Special Ed. Team to coordinate referrals.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

All substitute teachers must be booked through Aesop. In addition, a Request for Substitute for School Business Form or a Request for Approval and Verification of Absence Form forms, depending on the nature of the absence, must be completed and submitted to Tami Slagill.

Substitute Forms – Appendix J

AESOP Directions – Appendix A

Substitute lesson plans, complete and thorough, are a professional requirement and are a part of the evaluation process. Please make sure that these are in place and detailed so that a sub can be successful in your absence. Because of our STEM focus there are many details that will need to be accurately communicated with a substitute that may not be the case in another school. Continued issues with having a lack of substitute plans in place will be addressed directly with the teacher.

TECH SUPPORT

The technology assistant’s role is:

• To maintain the computers and technology throughout the school.

• To act as a resource for the classroom teacher.

When you need support with your classroom technology, please submit a work order at: .

TELEPHONE ACCESS

In order to maintain a productive learning environment, classroom interruptions are discouraged.

The office allows students to call home for a lunch, or to notify a parent of a modified day; however, we do not allow students to call home to arrange to visit a friend or request homework to be delivered. If a teacher allows a student to call home for an item, the teacher should send the student to the office to retrieve that item at recess or lunch. The office WILL NOT call into the classrooms to announce the arrival of homework, lunches, or other items.

Staff who have a cell phone are asked to keep it on vibrate and refrain from personal calls during student contact time. Emergencies are, of course, the exception. If any staff member has an emergency, please contact the office so we may assist you.

UNIVERSAL SCREENING

As part of a district initiative, all Curran students will participate in Universal Screening using the i-Reads, SRI and/or SMI four times throughout the school year. Results from these screenings are used top monitor student progress towards grade level proficiency. Data from these screenings will be used during Data Meetings to make informed decisions regarding universal access and differentiated instruction. Prior to each Universal Screening, teacher and student information as well as computer schedules will be emailed to teachers.

Universal Screening Schedule – Appendix K

VOLUNTEERS

Parents are a valuable resource in assisting with classroom activities. All classroom volunteers must sign in at the office. The volunteer will be given a name tag and they need to sign out when finished. Please monitor your parents and send them to the office for a name tags if they have not received one.

We encourage parents to volunteer on a regular basis in the classroom for the purpose of promoting an active learning environment. When volunteering, please utilize staff restrooms. Student restrooms are for students only.

Individual teachers and programs within our school have unique guidelines for volunteers. Volunteer policies are specific to each teacher and program. Please consult with your child’s teacher regarding their volunteer policy.

Prior to working with students, all adults who wish to volunteer at district schools are required to complete a volunteer registration form and return it to the school office (site secretary) along with a copy of their current driver’s license. To protect the safety of students, District Support Center staff will check the Department of Justice’s Megan’s Law website to verify that persons who wish to volunteer are not required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Penal Code 290.

For the safety of those within the school and to avoid disruption of instructional time, all visitors and volunteers must first report to the school office. Visitors will be required to sign in and wear a visitor’s badge at all times while on campus. Volunteers will be required to wear a volunteer lanyard while on campus.

All visitors and volunteers are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of courtesy and conduct; disruptive behavior will not be permitted.

Please be aware that this group of parents is the targeted group for our end of the year Volunteer Tea. If you have a volunteer that you want to recognize in this way, please make sure that they have been cleared as a volunteer and that they have the volunteer name badge when in your classroom. The Volunteer Tea is meant as a means of recognizing regular volunteers. If you have a parent who has visited your room or helped with one special event, you are encouraged to develop another means of recognizing that person and showing your appreciation.

Each room should have a room parent to coordinate PTA events, reward activities, and parties. Work with the PTA to fill this position. You select the parent you want. Don’t feel pressure to take a parent you don’t want. This relationship needs to be strong!

WALK-THROUGHS/OBSERVATIONS

Administration will make both formal and informal walk-throughs and observations. Do not interrupt your lesson. They will let you know if they need to speak directly with you. Administration will meet with all staff members who are being formally evaluated for the year, in September, in order to walk them through the process used at Curran. A formal observation schedule will be provided to these staff members at the beginning of September.

Administration will welcome any invitations to observe special lessons or classroom events and would be happy to unofficially observe the teacher to help in any way.

Walk Through From – Appendix L

WORK DAY

Article 8.1 of the Labor Agreement with Murrieta Teachers Association states: “The length of the teacher work day including, prep, lunch, relief, and before/after school hours shall consist of seven (7) on-site consecutive hours; however, the District may require bargaining unit members to work an additional 60 minutes once per week for purposes of Professional Learning Communities or for professional development as needed, including up to one sixty (60) minute faculty meeting monthly.

Teachers Work Day – 8:00AM – 3:00PM

Classified Work Day – as per personal contracts

WORK ORDER

Work Orders for all maintenance issues go thru Tami. This would include items such as airconditioning, keys, doors, plumbing, etc.

 

Appendix A: Aesop Substitute Program

 

You can interact with Aesop on the internet at .

Here, you will be able to enter absences, check your absence schedule, update personal information, and exercise other features such as uploading your lesson plans for substitutes to view online. The Aesop service is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be accessed via internet and phone. There is also a smart phone app that you can download.

 

You can also call Aesop toll free at 1-800-942-3767. Simply follow the voice menu to enter and manage absences and access other features.

• If you have not done so yet, we recommend that you call in to check the computer recording of your name and title. To do this, press Option 5 and follow the prompts. If changes need to be made, please let Tami Slagill know.

 

Your ID and PIN numbers for accessing Aesop are as follows:

• ID Number: “home phone number” (no dashes) OR Cell Phone if that is the only number you have provided Human Resources.

• PIN Number: “4 or 5 digit pin”

• If you have forgotten your PIN see Tami Slagill in the front office.

If you need some more information, once you’ve logged in, go to the menu on the left hand side and view the following videos:

• Employee Basic Training

• Employee Advanced Training

 

 *When entering an absence, please wait until you receive a confirmation number before you terminate the phone call or close your internet browser window. Your transaction is not complete until you receive a confirmation number.

It is important that you take the time to create a “Preferred Substitute” List in your AESOP account. You can pick up to 5 substitutes for this list. It is very easy to do, and it will help you get a sub that you are comfortable with. If you need help doing this, please see Tami.

AESOP will “lock” you out 90 min. before your work day starts. If you need a sub after that time, please call Michelle Elder at x1014 after 5am, or Tami at x2297 after 7:30am.

If you have ANY questions please don’t hesitate to see Tami anytime!

Appendix B: Classroom Management

Classroom Management

As each teacher develops his/her classroom management plan, it is important to consider the following:

• Think through your expectations before school begins because you want the year to start with appropriate student behavior. It's much easier to maintain good behavior than it is to alter an inappropriate behavior pattern.

• Sometimes teachers allow students to participate in the rule formation process in order to encourage student "ownership" of the rules and acceptance of responsibility for their behavior.

• Inefficient procedures, and the absence of routines for such common features of classroom life as attendance reports, turning in materials, checking work, etc., can waste large amounts of time and cause students' attention and interest to decline. Four major areas can be identified:

a. Expected student behavior during instructional activities. Included in this area are conduct during whole class activities (teacher presentation, recitation, discussion and testing), small group or project work and individual work.

b. Student behavior during non-instructional activities. These activities include entering/leaving the room, announcements, roll call/attendance checks, getting supplies, waiting for materials to be distributed, pencil sharpening, etc. You will need to help the students understand what is expected of them at these times.

c. Routines for handling administrative tasks. You need to establish your own routines

to handle these tasks efficiently. If you do not, you will certainly lose instructional

time and may encourage student misbehavior through a lack of active monitoring

and increase in student dead time.

d. Procedures for maintaining student responsibility or accountability for work.

When teachers are consistent and predictable, students are more likely to be willing and able to comply with classroom rules, routines and tasks. Unpredictability on the teacher’s part will cause some students to continue to violate rules and ignore procedures, in order to find out what they can get away with or to obtain attention and reinforcement from other students.

When students see the logical connection between what they do and what happens to them, it helps them learn to choose appropriately between acceptable and unacceptable actions.

Consequences refer to both positive and negative feedback. Expected behavior should be reinforced with public or private recognition. A smile or a "thank you" is appreciated by all of us.

Considerations in Implementing Classroom Rules and Procedures

Procedures

▪ Make sure it is absolutely clear to you how you want things done. (Plan carefully)

▪ Teach

▪ Check for understanding (Make sure it absolutely clear to the students how you want things done).

▪ Reteach / Reinforce

Rules

▪ Simple / Observable (a behavior)

▪ In the best interest of students

▪ Few in number

▪ "Teach", that is, explain, practice and reinforce

▪ Indicate both positive and negative consequences

▪ Apply consistently

▪ Obtain administrative support

Keep monitoring of a student's negative behavior a private matter between you and the student. Public recognition of misbehavior (name on board, name announced out loud, card-turning) is not usually productive:

If you are using a card or clothespin program, please only use it for students with appropriate behaviors. If a student moves his/her card to a "negative" position more than once a week, then a parent conference is necessary and a personal contract required. DO NOT KEEP USING CARDS AND CLOTHESPINS WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVEN'T RESPONDED IN THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL. THIS IS MERELY FRUSTRATING TO ALL CONCERNED.

Things to Keep in Mind

▪ THE BEST FORM OF CLASSROOM CONTROL IS THE EFFECTIVE TEACHING OF SUBJECT MATTER.

▪ GENERALLY, WHAT YOU EXPECT FROM STUDENTS, YOU GET FROM STUDENTS.

▪ BE PROMPT, PREPARED, CARING.

▪ Consequences should be swift, reasonable, related to the infraction and absolutely certain to occur. Consequences don't have to be severe to make a difference.

▪ Don't disapprove of a student, disapprove of what he/she does.

▪ Learn to be aware of your own stress level before the students.

Appendix C: Custodial Schedule

Appendix D: Discipline Matrix

Please see Haiku Learning - PBIS

Appendix E: District Staff Development Calendar

Please see Haiku Learning under Calendars

Appendix F: Drill Procedures Overview

See Emergency Clipboard for Specifics on Procedures

Civil, Defense, Disaster and Earthquake

An earthquake or other disaster drill will be announced on the intercom. If a real earthquake occurs follow the same procedures. If indoors, duck and cover under a desk until the bell stops

or until it is safes to move children to the same areas as a fire drill. If outdoors, duck and cover away from hazards until the ground stops moving and it is safe to move to the fire drill area.

Fire, Explosion and Bomb Threat

An intermittent bell with flashing lights will signal the fire drill.

Children will leave the room in a single file line to designated lines on the grass field near the playground. Children should not attempt to recover clothes, books, lunches, etc. before leaving the room.

The teacher is the last person out of the room. He/she will take a class list, turn off the lights, close the door and go to the designated area. DO NOT LOCK THE DOOR.

The teacher should consolidate children in an orderly manner to take roll. Use the class list provided by the office for your disaster clipboard. An office representative will ask for an Attendance Report – you are to send up names of students who are missing from the class. Please note, this does not apply if students were already absent that day.

Any confusion or problems during the drill should be reported to administration.

We need to make sure procedures are clear so that we are prepared in case of an actual emergency.

Lockdown (Intruder on Campus, Threats, Violence, Civil Disturbance or Demonstrations

If one of the above situations occurs that requires a lockdown, you will hear a “Lockdown” announcement.

1) Check the area immediately outside your door. If students are close, rush them into your room.

2) Lock the outside door to your room.In the case of an intruder being in your building, it will be necessary to transport students to the closest room outside of your building.

3) Close curtains/blinds or otherwise cover any windows that are at eye level if possible.

4) Call the office if you have students unaccounted for or if you have extra students.

5) Do not unlock your door until you hear the all clear announcement. Exception: You may allow entry to a student or recognized staff member pounding on your door only if you can visually determine (through window) that he/she is unarmed. This is a judgement call on your part, understanding that the overriding concern must be for the safety of the larger number of people inside your room.

6) There are 3 stages of Lockdown. All begin at level 1 and decrease as determined by administration. Monitor email for further information from administration.

Appendix G: Drill Schedule 2014-2015

Drill Type Date (Thursdays) Time

Lockdown 8/21/14 1:55 PM

Evacuation (Fire) 8/21/14 2:00 PM

Duck and Cover 9/11/14 1:55 PM

Evacuation (Fire) 9/11/14 2:00 PM

Duck and Cover (Great Shakeout) 10/16/14 1:55 PM

Evacuation (Fire) 10/16/14 2:00 PM

Lockdown 11/13/14 1:55 PM

Evacuation (Fire) 11/13/14 2:00 PM

Duck and Cover 12/11/14 1:55 PM

Evacuation (Fire) 12/11/14 2:00 PM

Evacuation (Fire) 1/15/15 2:00 PM

Lockdown 2/12/15 1:55 PM

Evacuation (Fire) 2/12/15 2:00 PM

Duck and Cover 3/12/15 1:55 PM

Evacuation (Fire) 3/12/15 2:00 PM

Evacuation (Fire) 4/16/15 2:00 PM

Lockdown 5/14/15 1:55 PM

Evacuation (Fire) 5/14/15 2:00 PM

Appendix H: Inclement Weather Schedule

|Inclement Weather Schedule |

|Morning Arrival Schedule - MPR |

| |

|Morning Recess Schedule - MPR |

|Grades 1 – 3 – 10:05 – 10:25 |

|Grades 4 – 5 – 10:30 – 10:50 |

|Recess Schedule (TBD) |Lunch Schedule (In MPR) |

| | |

|1st 12:15 – 12:30 |1st 12:00 - 12:15 |

|2 12:00 – 12:15 |2nd 12:15 – 12:30 |

|3rd 12:55 – 1:10 |3rd 12:40 – 12:55 |

|4th & 5th 12:40 – 12:55 |4 & 5th 12:55 – 1:15 |

|Teachers remember this is a tight schedule please be prompt to help keep smooth transitions. |

Revised 7-20-14 PR

Appendix I: Purchase Order Guidelines

Classroom Supplies/PO’s

Teachers will be given $8.00 per student for classroom supplies and materials. There are TWO WAYS you can spend this money. You may order supplies thru Tami Slagill or you may request an open PO to take and shop at a specified store.

Ordering Supplies thru Tami

If you would like to order things thru Tami please go to the website and fill a shopping cart with your purchases.  You can shop at most any online store. Send Tami a printed copy or a screen shot of that shopping cart.  This not only helps ensure you get EXACTLY what you need, but saves time for Tami.  She will place the order and usually it will arrive within about a week, sometimes less.  When the items arrive you MUST check the shipment for accuracy.  Sign the invoice to confirm that you received everything listed and return the invoice to Tami ASAP.

Open PO

If you prefer to shop in a store, you may request an OPEN PO.  A few places that you can do this with are: CM School Supplies, Home Depot, Lakeshore, Office Depot, Staples, and Target.  Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, and Kmart are a few that DO NOT accept Open PO’s.

After you request the PO, it will take Tami a day or two to get it, depending on how backed up the Purchasing Dept. is.  When you receive the PO, you may go shop at the store you specified.  You will then need to return the PO, and all receipts to Tami within a week.  Tami will track your spending.

Grade levels may decide to pool funds for larger purchases. Please let Tami know if that is the case.

Appendix J: Substitute Forms

Request for Substitute for School Business

• This form is filled out by the teacher/employee.

• Teacher/employee turns it into Tami Slagill for Principal approval.

• All district business arranged through education services will have a form attached to a notification email for your use. Please fill this out and turn it in to Tami. She will submit it appropriately.

Request for Approval and Verification of Absence

• This form is used for two reasons. First, an absence that you will need time off work for any personal, non-school related reason. Do not use this form for “school business”. Second, if you called in an absence and have returned to work, you need to fill out this same form (when you have returned) and give it to Tami Slagill for payroll verification.

• This is a check system for payroll to confirm what kind of leave you want to use.

• This form is filled out by the employee and turned into Tami Slagill for Principal approval within a week of return.

• The employee is responsible to arrange for the substitute by calling into the Aesop system at

1-800-942-3767 and following the prompts. Please see the AESOP Substitute Program Sheet in your staff handbook for more information on the Aesop system.

• The secretary will arrange subs for personal leave/illness if she is notified in advance of the absence – not the morning of.

• Subs are hard to come by after the school day has started. If you are ill, stay home and request a sub 90 minutes before your start time. If it is within 90 minutes of your start time, please call Michelle Elder at 696-1600 x1014.

• If you are absent for three or more days due to illness, you much get a doctor’s note for return, per the district.

Appendix K: Universal Screening Schedule

2014-15

August 18 – 22 SRI

Aug. 25 – 29 SMI

November 10 - 14 SRI

November 17 - 21 SMI

February 9 – 12 SRI

February 17 – 2 SMI

May 18- 22 SRI

May 26 – 29 SMI

Appendix L: Walk Through Tool

[pic]

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download